I know the trade in value of this machine at the Viking dealer is about 550, so I'd say depending on the frame it would be a great deal. I have a small metal Grace frame and the mega quilter. The dealer recently told me they have people on the waiting list for this machine. Yes, it would be great to afford the 18" harp but it'll be yrs before I can do that and a 9" is better than the reqular machines plue is you have it set up on a frame it'll give you lots of use. Its a straight stitch machine with lots of speed but easy to control and the tension is easy. The demonstrator from Viking reccomends Aurifil thread on it but most all of the threads work great on it. Its a very heavy reliable machine.